Free standing sliding panel footed barrier

ABSTRACT

A free standing barrier includes two panels that slide parallel to each other. Each of the panels includes a lower outer corner portion on which is mounted a foot. The feet, in combination with each other, hold the barrier upright and make the barrier free standing. One foot engages one sliding panel and the other foot engages the other sliding panel. Each of the feet includes an outward extension that works as a stop against, for example, a doorjamb, to prevent the barrier from being pushed, such as by a dog, through the opening that the barrier is intended to close off.

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/916,426 filed Jun. 12, 2013 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,260,910 issued Feb.16, 2016), which application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)of the following U.S. provisional patent application Nos.: 1) 61/659,419filed Jun. 13, 2012, and 2) 61/765,984 filed Feb. 18, 2013, both ofwhich provisional applications are hereby incorporated by reference intheir entireties into this application.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a free standing barrier, moreparticularly to a free standing barrier that includes a pair of slidingpanels sliding parallel to each other, and specifically to such a freestanding sliding panel barrier having a pair of unique feet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Wooden gates have become a relatively popular item, especially to thehomeowner that has a child or pet or several of both. Gates keepchildren and pets out of the kitchen, or away from the top of thestairs, or temporarily away from an area being cleaned. Wooden gates canbe preferred over metal gates on an aesthetic basis. Wooden gatesconventionally have a pair of main panels and a pair of side panels.

Wooden gates can be cumbersome, heavy and include a relatively greatnumber of parts. These three problems can be cured by a single step:taking off the pair of side panels to make a more simple wooden gate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A feature of the present invention is the provision in a free standingsliding panel footed barrier, of a first foot engaging a panel of thebarrier for supporting the panel relative to a floor, where the footincludes a front portion that extends to the front side of the barrierand a back portion that extends to the back side of the barrier, wherethe front and back portions are one-piece and integral.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the panel including a loweroutside vertically extending portion and of the foot having a verticallyextending slot for receiving the lower outside vertically extendingportion.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the panel including ahorizontal extending portion and of the foot including a horizontallyextending slot for receiving the lower outside horizontally extendingportion.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the panel including a loweroutside corner portion having a vertical edge and a horizontal edge, andwherein the foot includes a slot for receiving the lower outside cornerportion.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the front portion of the foothaving sides that taper toward each other while running toward a distalend of the front portion, of the back portion of the foot having sidesthat taper toward each other while running toward a distal end of theback portion, of the front portion having a top that tapers toward anunderside while running toward the distal end of the front portion, andof the back portion having a top that tapers toward an underside whilerunning toward the distal end of the back portion such that spaceoccupied by the foot is minimized so as to maximize safety for peoplewalking nearby.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the front and back portions ofthe foot being aligned lengthwise with each other.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of the foot having a middleportion between the front and back portions of the foot, of the middleportion being one-piece and integral with each of the front and backportions of the foot, and of the middle portion having a slot thatreceives a section of the first panel.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of an extension that protrudesoutwardly of each of the front and back portions of the foot to work asa stop for preventing the barrier from being pushed through apassageway.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of a first foot including outerand inner half sections that are engaged to each other where an innerface of the outer half section and an outer face of the inner halfsection are generally defined by a longitudinally and vertically runningplane such that front and back portions of the first foot remainone-piece and integral with each other.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of a first foot includinglaterally extending pin connectors that engage outer and inner halfsections of a longitudinally split first foot to each other.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision in a freestanding sliding panel footed barrier, of an extension that protrudesoutwardly of each of the front and back portions of the foot to work asa stop for preventing the barrier from being pushed through a passagewaywhere the extension is retractable to a position between inner and outerlongitudinally extending faces of the foot.

An advantage of the present invention is safety. A middle portion of thefoot supports and captures a lower horizontally extending frame memberof the barrier and further supports and captures a vertically extendingframe member of the barrier to provide for a sturdy support. The frontand back portions of the foot taper quickly three ways to a distal endto minimize the space occupied by the foot and thereby maximize safetyfor children and adults walking nearby. An outward extension on the footworks as a stop to prevent the barrier from being pushed into apassageway, such as ajar into a passageway, and thereby especiallyminimizes the chances of dogs, who have a tendency to push, getting pastthe barrier.

Another advantage of the present invention is simplicity. The presentfree standing sliding panel footed barrier has no side barriers, therebyproviding a more simple gate with fewer parts and less weight. Withfewer parts and less weight, the panels are more easily slid back andforth and the barrier as a whole is more easily slid or carried fromplace to place.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the barrier may beslid quickly into a passageway. Outer sides of feet, employed to makethe barrier free standing, are tapered so that sliding the barrier intoa doorway requires less than perfect alignment, unlike sliding a squarepeg into a square hole of equal dimensions where a perfect alignment isnecessary. In other words, a distance between distal ends of frontportions of the feet is less than a distance between outer sides ofmiddle sections of the feet and less than a distance between oppositedoor jambs. In still other words, outer tapering sides of the oppositefeet form in combination a V-shaped structure that can easily slide intoa doorway.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is perspective view of the present free standing sliding panelfooted barrier.

FIG. 1B is a detail perspective view of a foot of the free standingsliding panel footed barrier of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2 is a detail perspective bottom view of the foot of the freestanding sliding panel footed barrier of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3A is a side, detail, partially exploded view of the foot of thefree standing sliding panel footed barrier of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 3B is a perspective, detail, partially exploded view of the foot ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4B is a bottom perspective view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4C is a side view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4D is a bottom view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4E is a top view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4F is an end view of the foot of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 5A is perspective end view of an alternate embodiment of the footof FIG. 1A, where the foot of FIG. 5A is in a preassembled state.

FIG. 5B is a perspective end view of the foot of FIG. 5A showing thefoot in a preassembled state and from the end other than the end of FIG.5A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective end view of an alternate embodiment of the footof FIG. 1A, where a door jamb stop is retractable into the foot.

FIG. 6B is a view at lines 6B-6B of FIG. 6A showing a side view of thefoot of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6C is a view at lines 6C-6C of FIG. 6A showing an exploded andpartially phantom view of the foot of FIG. 6A.

DESCRIPTION

The present free standing sliding barrier is shown in FIGS. 1A and 1 sindicated by reference number 10. The barrier 10 generally includes afirst main panel 12, a second main panel 14, a set of four slideconnectors 16, 18, 20, 22, a first foot 24 and a second foot 26.

The panel 12 includes a frame 28. Frame 28 includes a horizontallyextending uppermost frame member 30, a horizontally extending lowermostframe member 32, a vertically extending innermost frame member 34, and avertically extending outermost frame member 36. Members 30, 32 runparallel to each other. Members 34, 36 run parallel to each other.Members 30, 32 run at right angles to members 34, 36. Members 34, 36 aresandwiched between members 30, 32. Members 30, 32, 34, 36 define aperimeter or periphery of the panel 12.

An endless channel 38 runs about an inner edge of the frame 28 such thata lower edge of member 30 includes a channel portion, such that an upperedge of member 32 includes a channel portion, such that an inner sideedge of member 34 includes a channel portion, and such that an innerside edge of member 36 includes a channel portion.

Engaged in the endless channel 38 is a wire grid 40. Wire grid 40includes an endless wire or rod, of a rectangular or square form, set inthe endless channel 38. Wire grid 40 further includes a plurality ofhorizontally extending wires or rods and a plurality of verticallyextending wires or rods.

Panel 14 is identical to panel 12. Each of the panels 12, 14 is set ingenerally a plane. The planes of the respective panels 12, 14 areparallel to each other and the panels 12, 14 slide parallel to eachother by virtue of the slide connectors 16, 18, 20, 22.

Panel 14 includes an uppermost horizontally extending frame member 42, alowermost horizontally extending frame member 44, an outermostvertically extending frame member 46, and an innermost verticallyextending frame member 48.

Slide connector 16 is mounted by pin connectors to a distal end portionof member 30 of panel 12 and removably engages the uppermosthorizontally extending frame member 42 of panel 14. Slide connector 20is mounted by pin connectors to a distal end portion of member 32 andremovably engages the lowermost horizontally extending frame member 44of panel 14. Slide connector 18 is mounted by pin connectors to a distalend portion of member 42 of panel 14 and removably engages the uppermosthorizontally extending frame member 30 of panel 12. Slide connector 20is mounted by pin connectors to a distal end portion of member 44 ofpanel 14 and removably engages the lowermost horizontally extendingframe member 32 of panel 12.

First and second panels 12, 14 are thus engaged to each other and slidepast each other in a parallel fashion. Each of the first and secondpanels 12, 14 includes an outside end, such as vertically extendingframe member 36 and vertically extending frame member 46 of panel 14. Asto an outside end, the distal outer ends of frame members 30, 32, 42,and 44 can be included in a definition of outside ends of panels 12, 14.The outside ends of panels 12, 14 may slide toward each other todecrease a distance spanned by the barrier 10. The outside ends ofpanels 12, 14 may slide away from each other to increase a distancespanned by the barrier 10.

Each of the slide connectors 16, 18, 20, 22 generally includes two partspivotally connected to each other. One part is fixed, such as with pinconnectors, to one of the panels 12, 14. The other part pivots into andout of engagement with the other of the panels 12, 14. When the pivotingpart is engaged, the panels 12, 14 are fixed relative to each other.When the pivoting part is disengaged, the panels 12, 14 are slideablerelative to each other. All slide connectors 16, 18, 20, 22 must bedisengaged for the panels 12, 14 to slide relative to each other. Forthe panels 12, 14 to be fixed against sliding relative to each other,only one of the slide connectors 16, 18, 20, 22 needs to be engaged.

Each of panels 12, 14 includes two legs 50, 52 that depend from therespective lowermost horizontally extending frame member 32, 44. Leg 50is an inner leg that is found on the inner end portion of the respectivelowermost horizontally extending frame member 32, 44. Leg 50 isgenerally vertically aligned with the respective inner verticallyextending frame member 34, 48 of panels 12, 14. Leg 52 is an outer legthat is found adjacent to the outer end portion of the respectivelowermost horizontally extending frame member 32, 44. Leg 52 is offsetvertically from the respective outermost vertically extending framemember 36, 46. Legs 50, 52 space the panels 12, 14 from an environmentalsurface such as a floor. Legs 50, 52 provide such a space to permit thelower slide connectors 20, 22 to extend through such space. Legs 50, 52minimize the amount of sliding contact or surface contact or surfacearea that the barrier 10 as a whole has with an environmental surfacesuch as a floor. Each of legs 50, 52 is a cylindrical or frustoconicalpiece that is fixed to the bottom edge of the respective lowermosthorizontally extending frame member 32, 44 with a pin connector. Each oflegs 50, 52 is formed of a nonslip material such as a rubber orrubber-like or elastomeric or plastic material. The distal end of eachof the legs 50, 52 makes direct contact with the floor and this distalend is annular in shape so as to further minimize the amount of surfacearea of the barrier 10 that makes contact with the floor.

Barrier 10 includes a front side 54 and a rear side 56. First foot 24extends to the front and rear sides 54, 56. Second foot 26 extends tothe front and rear sides 54, 56.

As indicated above, barrier 10 includes first foot 24 and second foot26. First foot 24 is mounted on panel 12 and second foot 26 is mountedon panel 14. First foot 24 is identical to second foot 26.

First foot 24 includes a front or first portion 58, a back or secondportion 60, and a middle portion 62. Front portion 58 includes a firstside 64, second side 66, top or top side 68, and underside 70. Backportion 60 includes a first side 72, second side 74, top or top side 76,and underside 78. Front portion 58 includes a proximal end 80 proximateto the middle portion 62 and a distal end 82 distal to the middleportion 62. Back portion 60 includes a proximal end 84 proximate to themiddle portion 62 and a distal end 86 distal to the middle portion 62.Sides 64 and 66 of the front portion 58 taper towards each other in thedirection of the distal end 82. Sides 72, 74 of the back portion 60taper towards each other in the direction of the distal end 86. Top 68of the front portion 58 tapers toward the underside 70 in the directionof the distal end 82. Top 76 of the back portion 60 tapers toward theunderside 78 in the direction of the distal end 86. With such a tripletaper, the feet 24, 26 provide a relatively great surface area forstabilizing their respective panels 12, 14 and then taper quickly tominimize the amount of space occupied so as to be less obtrusive andmaximize safety for children and adults walking near the barrier 10.

Foot 24 further includes an outward extension 88. Outward extension 88protrudes from the middle portion 62 and extends beyond outer sides 64,72 of the front and back portions 58, 60 of the feet 24, 26. When onpanel 12, extension 88 lies in a common plane with panel 12. Outwardextension 88 works as a stop to prevent the barrier 10 from being pushedinto a passageway that barrier 10 is intended to close off, as shown inFIG. 1B.

Middle portion 62, exclusive of the outward extension 88, is one-pieceand integral with the front portion 58 and back portion 60. Outwardextension 88 is not integral with middle portion 62 since extension 88and middle portion 62 are not molded together. Extension 88 is snapfitted into middle portion 62 and is thus one-piece with middle portion62 and with front and back portions 58, 60. If desired, extension 88 canbe molded with middle portion 62 and front and back portions 58, 60 soas to be one-piece and integral therewith, and the appearance of thefoot 24 remains the same, such as shown in FIG. 1B. Outward extension 88includes plugs 90, 92 that fit into respective openings 94, 96 in middleportion 62 with a friction snap fit.

Opposite of outward extension 88, middle portion 62 includes a slot 98,shown in FIG. 4A, for receiving a lower outside corner portion 100. Slot98 is formed in part by a floor or floor rib 102 for abutting andsupporting the lower edge of lowermost horizontally extending framemember 32. Slot 98 is further formed by a pair of side faces or sides orside ribs 104, 106 for abutting and confronting the front and back facesof the outer end of lowermost horizontally extending frame member 32 andthe front and back faces of outermost vertically extending frame member36. Slot 98 is further formed in part by an end face or end rib 108 forabutting and confronting the end face or outer vertical edge of theouter end of lowermost horizontally extending frame member 32 and theend face or outer vertical edge of outermost vertically extending framemember 36.

Middle portion 62 includes a horizontally extending counterbore or hole110 extending through face 108. A pin connector such as screw insertedin the counterbored hole 110 will engage the vertically extendingoutermost frame member 36 so as to tie the foot 24 to the barrier 10.

Middle portion 62 includes a vertically extending hole 112 extendingthrough floor or lower surface 102. A pin connector such as a screwinserted in hole 112 will engage the horizontally extending lowermostframe member 32 so as to further tie the foot 24 to the barrier 10. Aboss surrounds hole 112. Holes 110, 112, and thus pin connectors in suchholes 110, 112, extend at right angles to each other.

The front portion 58 of the first foot 24 includes a length defining anaxis. The back portion 60 of the first foot 24 includes a lengthdefining an axis. The axes of the front and back portions 60 are alignedwith each other.

Extension 88 includes a well defined thickness, where the thickness isabout the thickness of the lowermost horizontally extending frame member32. Extension 88 is elongate in the vertical direction and includesopposing vertically running faces, either of which faces can confrontand abut a wall or a baseboard 114, as shown in FIG. 1B. Such verticallyrunning faces define the thickness of the outward extension 88.

Extension 88 is preferred to be a pop out or pop in or snap out or snapin type of extension 88, relative to the first foot 24, rather than anextension that is molded integrally and one-piece with the body of thefirst foot 24 such that, with an overzealous pushing in of the barrier10 into a passageway, or against a baseboard 114 or other verticalenvironmental surface, extension 88 will merely pop out of foot 24rather than the overzealous pushing destroying the integrity of the pinconnections between the first foot 24 and the barrier 10. Further, ifthe end consumer desires the barrier 10 to be set deeper within adoorway, such that barrier 10 may be generally coplanar with a doorway,the extensions 88 can be popped off and not used.

Middle portion 62 includes a top or top edge 116 and an underside 118.Underside 118 is disposed at an altitude below the undersides 70, 78 ofthe front and back portions 58, 60. Top 116 is disposed at an altitudegreater than the uppermost portions of front and back portions 58, 60.Middle section or portion 62 includes a front side 120 proximate thefront portion 58 and a back side 122 proximate the back portion 60. Thefront and back sides 120, 122 taper toward each other and run upwardlyto the top 116.

First foot 24 includes a pair of legs 124. One leg 124 depends from thedistal end 82 of front portion 58 and the other leg 124 depends from thedistal end 86 of back portion 60. Legs 124 space the feet 24, 26 from anenvironmental surface such as a floor. Legs 124 minimize the amount ofsliding contact or surface contact or surface area that the barrier 10as a whole has with an environmental surface such as a floor. Leg 124 isa cylindrical or frustoconical piece that is fixed to the undersides offeet 24, 26 with a pin connector. Leg 124 is formed of a nonslipmaterial such as a rubber or rubber like or elastomeric or plasticmaterial. The distal or lowermost edge or face of leg 124 makes directcontact with the floor and this distal end is annular in shape so as tofurther minimize the amount of surface area of the barrier 10 that makescontact with the floor. The placement of first foot 24 on the lowercorner portion 100 of panel 12 and the placement of second foot 26 onthe lower corner portion 100 of panel 14 remove the need for a leg, suchas leg 50 or leg 52, on the lower outside ends of panels 12, 14. Rather,leg 52 is offset from the outermost vertically extending frame member36, 46 such that leg 52, leg 124 of front portion 58, and leg 124 ofback portion 126 form a triangle rather than a straight line.

As shown in FIG. 3B, foot 24 generally includes three upright elongatewalls 126, 128, 130 running the length of the foot 24 from distal end 82to distal end 86. Walls 126, 128, 130 are joined at their upper edges bythe tops 68, 76 of the front and back portions 58, 60. Walls 126, 128and 130 are joined at the distal ends 82, 86. Sides 64, 72 are parts ofwall 126. Sides 66, 74 are parts of wall 130. Wall 128 and wall 130 arecut away to form slot 98. Wall 126 includes cutouts 94, 96. Wall 128 maybe referred to as a rib. Walls 126, 128, and 130 may be referred to aslongitudinally extending walls.

Foot 24 further includes laterally extending inner walls or ribs 132,134, 136 and 138. Lateral rib 132 is disposed at distal end 82 and formsjunctions with walls 126, 128 and 130 and extends from the underside 70to top 68. The junction between rib 132 and wall 128 forms a hole for apin connector for mounting leg 124. Lateral rib 134 is disposedintermediate proximal end 80 and distal end 82 and forms junctions withwalls 126, 128 and 130 and extends from the underside 70 to top 68.Lateral rib 136 is disposed intermediate proximal end 84 and distal end86 and forms junctions with walls 126, 128 and 130 and extends from theunderside 78 to the top 76. Lateral rib 138 is disposed at distal end 86and forms junctions with walls 126, 128 and 130 and extends from theunderside 78 to the top 76. The junction between rib 138 and wall 128forms a hole for a pin connector for mounting leg 124.

Floor 102 and sides or side faces 104 and 106 also act in the nature oflaterally extending ribs. Side or side face 108, it should be noted,closes off openings 94, 96.

It should be noted that a number of transitions or chamfers or radiusstructures are found on the feet 24, 26. For example, rounded transition140 is found at the junction between side 64 and top 68, at the junctionbetween side 66 and top 68, at the junction between side 72 and top 76,at the junction between side 74 and top 76, at the junction between wall126 and front side 120, at the junction between wall 130 and front side120, at the junction between wall 126 and back side 122, at the junctionbetween wall 130 and back side 122, at the junction between wall 126 andtop 116, and at the junction between wall 130 and top 116.

Transitions or chamfers or radius structures 140 are also found on theextension 88. Extension 88 includes laterally and vertically extendingfaces 142, 144. Extension 88 further includes an end C-shaped surface146 that runs from a location adjacent counterbore 110 to a locationadjacent the underside of middle section 62. Transitions 140 are foundat the junction between face 142 and C-shaped surface 146 and at thejunction between face 144 and C-shaped surface 146.

It should be noted that feet 24, 26 are identical to each other.However, since the panels 12, 14 slide in different planes, the distalends of the feet 24, 26 that are on one side of the barrier 10 fall on astraight line that is oblique to either of these planes in which thepanels 12, 14 slide. In other words, these distal ends that are disposedon one side of barrier 10 are offset from each other relative to eitherof the planes in which the panels 12, 14 slide. Also, it should be notedthat when on the panels 12, 14, the slots 98 face each other; thus, onfoot 26, as shown in FIG. 1A, the front portion 58 of foot 26 protrudesto the front side 54 of the barrier 10.

In operation, to install the feet 24, 26 on the barrier 10, each of theoutside lower corner portions 100 of panels 12, 14 are slid fully intorespective slots 98 of feet 24, 26 such that the slot 98 supports a) thelower edge of the lowermost horizontal frame member 32, b) one side faceof the lowermost horizontal frame member 32, c) the other side face ofthe lowermost horizontal frame member 32, d) the outer end of thelowermost horizontal frame member 32, e) the outer vertical edge ofoutermost vertical frame member 36, f) one side face of the outermostvertical frame member 36, and g) the other side face of the outermostvertical frame member 36. Then connector pins are slid into openings110, 112 and screwed into, respectively, outermost vertical frame member36 and lowermost horizontal frame member 32. Then outer extensions 88are snapped into openings 94, 96.

In operation, to block off a passageway, barrier 10 may, for example, becarried to the inside of a room in which a pet is to be confined. Thenthe slide connectors 16, 18, 20 and 22 are opened to permit the panels12, 14 to slide to and away from each other to the proper distance tospan the passageway. Then the slide connectors 16, 18, 20 and 22 areclosed to lock the panels 12, 14 at a particular width or span distance.Since a pet, especially a dog, has a tendency to push, the barrier 10 isset inside of the room and inside of the passageway intended to beblocked. The barrier 10 can be easily slid into a passageway because theouter sides 64 and 72 of feet 24, 26 are tapered to minimize thestruggle of otherwise pushing a square or rectangular piece into arespective square or rectangular piece having widths that areapproximately equal. In other words, regardless of whether the frontside 54 or the rear side 56 is being pushed into the doorway, the feet24, 26 together will form a V-shape to make insertion into a doorwayeasy. The V-shape is formed by outer tapering side 64 of foot 24 incombination with outer tapering side 72 of foot 26 (since in use theslots 98 of feet 24, 26 face each other). Then, after such V-shapedstructures have been slid into the doorway, and if the panels 12, 14have been slid toward or away from each other the proper distance, theouter extensions 88 will abut a wall or baseboard 114, as shown in FIG.1B, and will keep the barrier 10 in the room and in the passageway andin a position blocking the passageway when the dog tries to push on thebarrier 10.

In operation, to take the barrier 10 out of the passageway, the user cansimply grasp, for example, a portion of the uppermost frame member 30and slide the barrier 10 as a whole away from the passageway and intothe room confining the pet. Or the user can slide one end of the barrier10 at least partially out of the passageway, an action that is maderelatively easy by the tapering of the outer sides 64, 72 of feet 24,26.

U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/149,721 filed May 31, 2011 andentitled Barrier With Panels Sliding Parallel is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety into this application.

Barrier 10 may include foot 200 instead of first and second feet 24, 26.Foot 200 may be mounted on each of panels 12, 14. Foot 200 is shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B. Foot 200 is longitudinally split for shipping andstorage. Foot 200 is assembled prior to placement on either of thepanels 12, 14.

When assembled, foot 200 includes an external or exterior shape andstructure that is identical to feet 24, 26, except that foot 200includes a central longitudinally extending seam. Foot 200 includes alongitudinally extending outer half section 202 and a longitudinallyextending inner half section 204.

As an example of the external or exterior shape and structure that isidentical to feet 24, 26, foot 200 includes front or first portion 58,back or second portion 60, and a middle portion 62 and the respectiveexternal details of portions 58, 60 and 62. For reference to therespective details of portions 58, 60 and 62 and their external details,please see the description as to feet 24, 26. Differences between feet24 and 26 on the one hand and foot 200 on the other hand are now setforth.

Portions 58 and 60 of half section 202 are the same. Since the interiorof portion 60 of half section 202 is shown in FIG. 5B, only portion 60of half section 202 is discussed. The interior of portion 60 includes aset of horizontally and vertically extending ribs 206, 208, 210, 212,214. Rib 208 can also be referred to as an underside 208 or a floor 208.Rib 210 is an end rib that extends vertically and laterally. End rib 210extends vertically between rib or floor 208 and top 68 of half section202. Intermediate rib 212 extends vertically and laterally between therib or floor 208 and top 68 at the middle portion 62 of half section202. Intermediate rib 212 forms a junction with horizontal rib 206. Slotrib 214 extends vertically and laterally from rib or floor 208 in themiddle portion 62 of half section 202 and includes an indent or receptor216 formed in an upper portion thereof. Rib 206 extends horizontally andlaterally from slot rib 214 to rib 212, where ribs 206, 212 form ajunction. Rib 206 continues from such junction to a boss 218. Boss 218in turn is fixed to end rib 210. Ribs 206, 208, 210, 212, and 214 extendlaterally from a sidewall of portion 60 of outer half section 202. Rib212 includes a boss 220 formed in an upper portion thereof. Portion 60of half section 202 further includes an indent or receptor 222 formed inrib or floor 208 at an end of portion 60. Indent 222 is adjacent to ajunction between vertical end rib 210 and rib or floor 208.

Portions 58 and 60 of inner half section 204 are the same. Since theinterior of portion 58 of half section 204 is shown in FIG. 5A, onlyportion 58 of half section 204 is discussed. The interior of portion 58of inner half section 204 includes a set of horizontally and verticallyextending ribs 224, 226, 228, 230, and 232. Ribs 224, 226, 228, 230, and232 extend laterally from a sidewall of portion 58 of inner half section204. Rib 224 can also be referred to as an underside 224 or a floor 224.Rib 228 is an end rib that extends vertically and laterally. End rib 228extends vertically between rib or floor 226 and top 68 of half section204. Intermediate rib 230 extends vertically and laterally between therib or floor 226 and top 68 at the middle portion 62 of half section204. Intermediate rib 230 forms a junction with horizontal rib 224. Slotrib 232 extends vertically and laterally from rib or floor 226 in themiddle portion 62 of half section 204 and includes a U-shaped piece 234extending from an upper portion thereof. Intermediate horizontal rib 224extends horizontally and laterally from slot rib 232 to rib 230, whereribs 224, 230 form a junction. Rib 224 continues from such junction to aboss 236. Boss 236 in turn is formed in end rib 228. Intermediatehorizontal rib 224 continues from boss 236 to an end wall 244 of theportion 58 of half section 204. Intermediate vertical rib 230 includes aboss 238 formed in an upper portion thereof. Portion 58 of half section204 further includes vertical boss 240 extending from rib or floor 226to intermediate horizontal rib 224. Vertical boss 240 is formed in avertical and longitudinally extending rib 242 that extends from the endwall 244 of portion 58 of half section 204 to end rib 228.

A boss herein is a cylindrical structure with a pin opening extendingaxially therethrough. A pin may slide through the pin opening. Thethreaded end of a screw may bite into a boss to draw the half sections202, 204 together. A boss may be threaded and engage a threaded end of apin connector. A boss may receive a rivet. Bosses have two open ends oninner half section 204. Bosses on half section 202 have a closed end.

To assemble the half sections 202 and 204, a pin connector is insertedinto each of the bosses 236 of half section 204. These pin connectorsthen bite into coaxial bosses 218 of half section 202. Also, a pinconnector is inserted into each of bosses 238 of half section 204. Thesepin connectors then bite into coaxial bosses 220 of half section 202. Asthe pin connectors draw the half sections 202, 204 together, ribs 206,208, 210, 212, 214 of half section 202 line up in common planesrespectively with ribs 224, 226, 228, 230, 232 of half section 204. Asthe pin connectors draw the half sections 202, 204 together, verticalbosses 240 are received in respective indents 222. As the pin connectorsdraw the half sections 202, 204 together, U-shaped piece 234 is receivedin receptor 216. U-shaped piece 234 includes an opening 244 that linesup to be coaxial with opening 110. Openings 110, 244 receive a pinconnector that bites into one of panels 12, 14.

As can be appreciated, foot 200 includes an underside different fromfeet 24, 26. The underside of foot 200 is closed. The underside of feet24, 26 is open.

Vertical boss 240 receives a pin connector for mounting feet 124.

Outer extension 88 is found on half section 202. Outer extension 88 maybe solid plastic or may be hollow or may include horizontal ribs or aset of vertical and horizontal ribs. Outer extension 88 of foot 200works as a stop to prevent the barrier 10 from being pushed into apassageway that barrier 10 is intended to close off, as foot 24 shown inFIG. 1B. Extension 88 can be molded with middle portion 62 and front andback portions 58, 60 of half section 202 so as to be one-piece andintegral therewith.

Half section 202 includes a slot portion 246 and half section 204includes a slot portion 248. In combination, slot portions 246, 248 forma slot 250 for receiving one of the panels 12, 14. Slot portion 248 isformed by opposing slot ribs 232 and a slot floor 251 extending betweenslot ribs 232. A boss 252 is formed in the slot floor 251 for receivinga vertically extending pin connector that bites into one of the mainpanels 12, 14 that is received in slot 250. Slot portion 248 is furtherformed by U-shaped piece 234. Slot portion 246 is formed by opposingslot ribs 214 and a slot floor 254 extending between slot ribs 214. Slotfloors 215, 254 are coplanar with each other when the foot 200 isassembled. As stops for one of the panels 12, 14 that is inserted intoslot 250, half section 204 includes the U-shaped piece 234 thatconfronts hole 110 when the foot is assembled and half section 202includes a horizontal rib 256 extending between slot ribs 214. Rib 256may continue into outer extension 88 to serve as an inner support forouter extension 88. The inner edge of rib 256 and the outerlongitudinally extending section of U-shaped piece 234 may be aligned ina common plane. The outer longitudinally extending edge portion of slot246 may also be in this common plane and serve as a stop for one of themain panels 12, 14.

The front portion 58 of the foot 200 includes a length defining an axis.The back portion 60 of foot 200 includes a length defining an axis. Theaxes of the front and back portions 58, 60 are coaxial to form a commonaxis. This common axis lies in a vertical plane. The outer face of theinner half section 204 is generally defined by this vertical plane. Theinner face of outer half section 202 is generally defined by thisvertical plane. Each of the half sections 202, 204 is one-piece andintegral to offer longitudinal support along the longitudinal length ofeach of the half sections 202, 204 and thus to offer longitudinalsupport to foot 200 when assembled.

When the half sections 202, 204 are drawn fully together by the pinconnectors, the external surface of half sections 202, 204 becomeidentical to feet 24, 26 except for the longitudinally running seamdefining the vertical plane of the common axis referred to above.

Foot 200 may be installed on barrier 10 the same way feet 24, 26 areinstalled on barrier 10 as described above.

Barrier 10 with two feet 200 may be operated as described above withrespect to feet 24, 26. For example, two feet 200 are employed on onebarrier 10. Each of the feet 200 includes a longitudinally extendingaxis. Each of the feet 200 further includes a vertical outer wall orvertical first side 64 that tapers inwardly as the longitudinal axis offoot 200 extends away from the middle portion 62. Each of the feet 200further includes a vertical outer wall or vertical first side 72 thattapers inwardly as the longitudinal axis of foot 200 extends away frommiddle portion 62. Thus, opposing vertical first sides 64, 72 ofopposing feet 200 (on opposite ends of barrier 10) form a V-shape or aportion of a V-shape. Hence, when barrier 10 is being pushed into thedoorway, this V-shape or V-shape portion makes for easy insertion offeet 200 and barrier 10 into a doorway. Then, after such V-shapedstructure of feet 200 have been slid into the doorway, and if the panels12, 14 have been slid toward or away from each other the properdistance, the outer extensions 88 of feet 200 will abut a wall orbaseboard 114 or door jamb and will keep the barrier 10 in the room andin the passageway and in a position blocking the passageway when the dogtries to push on the barrier 10.

In operation, to store barrier 10 and feet 200, each of the feet 200 maybe disassembled by removing the pin connectors from their respectivebosses. The thickness of the feet 200 are thereby reduced. The thickness(lateral distance from outer longitudinal surface of one half section tothe inner longitudinal surface of the same half section) of half section202 (having extension 88) is about the thickness two panels 12, 14placed back to back (face to face) such that the disassembled halfsections 202, 204 can be readily stored in the shipping and storage boxin which the panels 12, 14 are stored without damaging the shipping boxor the half sections 202, 204. In other words, the thickness of outerhalf section 202 is about twice the thickness of panel 12 (or abouttwice the thickness of panel 14). In shipping, shipping box thickness isgreatly reduced by minimizing the thickness of foot 200 and such isminimized by splitting foot 200 into two half sections 202, 204. Thethickness of outer half section 202 is greater than that of inner halfsection 204 because outer half section 202 includes extension 88 thatextends in the thickness direction.

Barrier 10 may include foot 300 instead of first and second feet 24, 26or feet 200 except that foot 300 does not have the longitudinallyextending seam that foot 200 does. Foot 300 may be mounted on each ofpanels 12, 14. Foot 300 is shown in FIGS. 6A, 6B and 6C. Foot 300includes a retractable extension 88.

Foot 300 includes an external or exterior shape and structure that isidentical to feet 24, 26, 200. For example, foot 300 includes front orfirst portion 58, back or second portion 60, and a middle portion 62 andthe respective external details of portions 58, 60 and 62.

Foot 300 can include the internal or interior shape and structure ofeither feet 24, 26 or feet 200. For reference to such, please see thedescription herein as to feet 24, 26, and 200.

Feet 24, 26 can include a removable extension 88 as shown in FIG. 3B.Foot 200 includes an extension 88 that is one-piece and integral withouter half section 202. Foot 300 includes a retractable extension 88.

Retractable extension 88 may be a hollow piece or a solid piece or asemi-hollow piece with ribs. If a semi-hollow piece, retractableextension 88 can have laterally and/or vertically extending ribs runninginternally for support.

Retractable extension 88 includes an upper internal stop 302 and a lowerinternal stop 304. Stop 302 projects upwardly and beyond an upper distalsurface end of C-shaped surface 146. Stop 304 projects downwardly andbeyond a lower distal surface end of C-shaped surface 146.

Middle portion 62 includes an outer vertical longitudinally extendingwall 306 and an outer vertical longitudinally extending wall 308. A slot310 is formed in outer wall 306. Slot 310 is formed in part by an upperedge 312 and a lower edge 314. Lower edge 314 is spaced from a floor316, which supports a bottom edge of one of the main panels 12, 14.Upper edge 312 is spaced from a lower edge of a boss 316 that includeshorizontally extending hole 110. Laterally extending internal ribs orsidewalls 318, 320 form sides of slot 310. Sidewalls 318 extend fromfloor 316 to the top of middle portion so as to form slot 98. Slot 98 isopen at a top end, closed at a bottom end, and open at a rear end. Slot98 accepts a corner portion of one of the panels 12, 14. Slot 310 inouter wall 308 communicates with slot 98.

Retractable extension 88 is inserted into foot 300 in a direction fromthe inner wall 308 to the outer wall 306. Retractable extension 88 isfirst inserted into slot 98 and then into slot 310. Retractableextension 88 is inserted into slot 310 until the front faces of thestops 302, 304 abut the rear surfaces of outer wall 306. Front face ofupper stop 302 abuts the rear surface of outer wall 306 between upperedge 312 and a lower edge of boss 316. Front face of lower stop 304abuts the rear surface of outer wall 306 between lower edge 314 andfloor 316. Then one of the main panels 12, 14 is inserted into slot 98.Then the vertical edge of the corner portion of one of the panels 12, 14pushes against a rear peripheral edge 322 of retractable extension 88(and rear edges of horizontally laterally extending ribs disposedtherein) to push the stops 302, 304 against inner portions of wall 306,whereupon the rear peripheral edge 322 is generally flush with a rearsurface of boss 316. A horizontal pin connector such as a screw is theninserted into opening 110 and through boss 316 to bite into the panelreceived in slot 98. A vertical pin connector extending through opening112 (shown in FIG. 4E) bites into an underside of the panel that isreceived in slot 98. Barrier 10, having foot 300 and retractableextension 88, may then be operated as feet 24, 26 and 200.

In shipping and storage, retractable extension 88 may be set inside ofslot 98 with retractable extension 88 contained within walls 306, 308and protruding from neither wall 306 nor wall 308. The length ofretractable extension (the lateral distance between ends of theextension 88) is less than or equal to the thickness of foot 300 atmiddle portion 62 (the lateral distance between walls 306, 308). Thethickness of foot 300 with retractable extension 88 between walls 306,308 is about the thickness of panels 12, 14 placed back to back (or faceto face) such that the thickness of foot 300 at middle portion 62 withextension 88 retracted is about twice the thickness of a single panel 12or a single panel 14.

A part or parts from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment.A part or parts from one embodiment may be replaced with a part or partsof another embodiment. In other words, a foot according to the inventionmay feature a first part from a first embodiment, a second part from asecond embodiment, a third part from a third embodiment, a fourth partfrom a fourth embodiment, and so on.

Thus since the invention disclosed herein may be embodied in otherspecific forms without departing from the spirit or generalcharacteristics thereof, some of which forms have been indicated, theembodiments described herein are to be considered in all respectsillustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is to beindicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoingdescription, and all changes which come within the meaning and range ofequivalents of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A free standing sliding panel footed barrier,comprising: a) first and second panels engaged to each other and slidingpast each other in parallel fashion, wherein each of the first andsecond panels includes an outside end, wherein each of the outside endsslide toward each other to decrease a distance spanned by the barrier,wherein each of the outside ends slide away from each other to increasea distance spanned by the barrier, wherein the barrier includes a frontside, and wherein the barrier includes a back side; b) a first footengaging the first panel for supporting the first panel relative to afloor, wherein the first foot includes a front portion that extends tothe front side of the barrier and a back portion that extends to theback side of the barrier; c) a second foot engaging the second panel forsupporting the second panel relative to said floor, wherein the secondfoot includes a front portion that extends to the front side of thebarrier and a back portion that extends to the back side of the barrier;d) wherein the first panel lies generally in a plane, wherein the firstfoot includes a middle portion between the front and back portions ofthe first foot, wherein the middle portion includes an extension thatprotrudes outwardly of the front and back portions of the first foot andthat lies generally in the plane of the first panel whereby saidextension works as a stop for preventing the barrier from being pushedthrough a passageway; e) wherein the extension protrudes at a rightangle to the front and back portions of the first foot; and f) whereinthe extension includes a front face, a rear face, and a bottom face,wherein the front face extends laterally and vertically, wherein therear face extends laterally and vertically, wherein the bottom face isdisposed between the front and rear faces, wherein the bottom face isadjacent to and spaced from a surface on which the free standing slidingpanel footed barrier is standing, wherein said bottom face is adjacentto said first foot and to said surface at a location generally in theplane of the first panel.
 2. The free standing sliding footed panelbarrier of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes a lower outsidevertically extending portion having a vertical edge, a front face and aback face, and wherein the first foot includes a vertically extendingslot for receiving the lower outside vertically extending portion andconfronting the vertical edge, front face and back face of the loweroutside vertically extending portion.
 3. The free standing sliding panelfooted barrier of claim 1, wherein the first panel includes a loweroutside horizontally extending portion having a horizontal edge, a frontface and a back face, and wherein the first foot includes a horizontallyextending slot for receiving the lower outside horizontally extendingportion and confronting the horizontal edge, front face and back face ofthe lower outside horizontally extending portion.
 4. The free standingsliding panel footed barrier of claim 1, wherein the first panelincludes a lower outside corner portion having a vertical edge and ahorizontal edge, and wherein the first foot includes a slot forreceiving the lower outside corner portion.
 5. The free standing slidingpanel footed barrier of claim 1, wherein said front portion of saidfirst foot includes a proximal end, an outer side, an inner side, a topside, underside and a distal end, wherein the proximal end is proximatethe back portion of the first foot and the distal end is distal from theback portion of the first foot, wherein said outer and inner sides tapertoward each other and toward the distal end, and wherein said top sidetapers toward the underside and toward the distal end such that spaceoccupied by the first foot is minimized so as to maximize safety forpeople walking nearby.
 6. The free standing sliding panel footed barrierof claim 1, wherein the front portion of the first foot includes alength, wherein the back portion of the first foot includes a length,wherein each of the lengths includes an axis, and wherein the axes ofthe lengths are aligned with each other.
 7. The free standing slidingpanel footed barrier of claim 1, wherein the first foot includes amiddle portion between the front and back portions of the first foot,and wherein the middle portion includes a slot that receives a sectionof the first panel.
 8. The free standing sliding panel footed barrier ofclaim 1, wherein the first foot includes a middle portion between thefront and back portions of the first foot, and wherein the middleportion includes a section that rises to an altitude higher thanuppermost sections of the front and back portions of the first foot. 9.The free standing sliding panel footed barrier of claim 1, wherein thefirst foot includes a middle portion between the front and back portionsof the first foot, wherein the middle section includes a front sideproximate the front portion of the first foot and a back side proximatethe back portion of the first foot, and wherein the front and back sidesof the middle section taper toward each other and run upwardly.
 10. Thefree standing sliding panel footed barrier of claim 1, wherein the firstfoot is engaged to the first panel by a first pin connector runninghorizontally and by a second pin connector running vertically.
 11. Thefree standing footed barrier apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frontportion of the first foot includes a front floor abutting surface thatrests upon the floor, wherein the back portion of the first footincludes a back floor abutting surface that rests upon the floor, thefront and back floor abutting surfaces defining a line, and the bottomface of the extension being at a greater elevation than said line suchthat the bottom face of the extension is spaced from the floor.
 12. Afree standing sliding panel footed barrier, comprising: a) first andsecond panels engaged to each other and sliding past each other inparallel fashion, wherein each of the first and second panels includesan outside end, wherein each of the outside ends slide toward each otherto decrease a distance spanned by the barrier, wherein each of theoutside ends slide away from each other to increase a distance spannedby the barrier, wherein the barrier includes a front side, and whereinthe barrier includes a back side; b) a first foot engaging the outsideend of the first panel for supporting the first panel relative to afloor, wherein the first foot includes a front portion that extends tothe front side of the barrier and a back portion that extends to theback side of the barrier; c) a second foot engaging the outside end ofthe second panel for supporting the second panel relative to said floor,wherein the second foot includes a front portion that extends to thefront side of the barrier and a back portion that extends to the backside of the barrier; d) wherein the first foot includes a firstextension protruding outwardly of and at a right angle to the front andback portions of the first foot and wherein the second foot includes asecond extension protruding outwardly of and at a right angle to thefront and back portions of the second foot, whereby said first andsecond extensions work as stops for preventing the barrier from beingpushed through a passageway; e) wherein the first foot comprises outerand inner first half sections that are engaged to each other, wherein aninner face of the outer first half section and an outer face of theinner first half section are generally defined by a longitudinally andvertically running plane; f) wherein the outer first half section andthe inner first half section of the first foot are about equal inlength; g) wherein the second foot comprises outer and inner second halfsections that are engaged to each other, wherein an inner face of theouter second half section and an outer face of the second first halfsection are generally defined by a longitudinally and vertically runningplane; and h) wherein the outer second half section and the inner secondhalf section of the second foot are about equal in length.
 13. The freestanding sliding panel footed barrier of claim 12, wherein said firstpanel lies generally in a first plane, wherein said first extension liesgenerally in the first plane, wherein said second panel lies generallyin a second plane, and wherein said second extension lies generally insaid second plane.
 14. The free standing sliding panel footed barrier ofclaim 12, wherein the first foot includes a middle portion between thefront and back portions of the first foot, and wherein the middleportion includes a slot that receives a section of the first panel. 15.The free standing sliding panel footed barrier of claim 12, wherein thefirst foot includes a middle portion between the front and back portionsof the first foot, and wherein the middle portion rises to an altitudethat is greater than uppermost sections of the front and back portionsof the first foot and greater than an uppermost section of the firstextension.
 16. The free standing sliding panel footed barrier of claim12, wherein the first foot includes a middle portion between the frontand back portions of the first foot, wherein the middle section includesa front side proximate the front portion of the first foot and a backside proximate the back portion of the first foot, and wherein the frontand back sides of the middle section taper toward each other and runupwardly.
 17. A free standing sliding panel footed barrier, comprising:a) first and second panels engaged to each other and sliding past eachother in parallel fashion, wherein each of the first and second panelsincludes an outside end, wherein each of the outside ends slide towardeach other to decrease a distance spanned by the barrier, wherein eachof the outside ends slide away from each other to increase a distancespanned by the barrier, wherein the barrier includes a front side, andwherein the barrier includes a back side; b) a first foot engaging thefirst panel for supporting the first panel relative to a floor, whereinthe first foot includes a front portion that extends to the front sideof the barrier and a back portion that extends to the back side of thebarrier; c) a second foot engaging the second panel for supporting thesecond panel relative to said floor, wherein the second foot includes afront portion that extends to the front side of the barrier and a backportion that extends to the back side of the barrier; d) wherein thefirst panel lies generally in a plane, wherein the first foot includes amiddle portion between the front and back portions of the first foot,wherein the middle portion includes an extension that protrudesoutwardly of the front and back portions of the first foot and that liesgenerally in the plane of the first panel whereby said extension worksas a stop for preventing the barrier from being pushed through apassageway; e) wherein the extension protrudes at a right angle to thefront and back portions of the first foot; f) wherein the extensionincludes a front face, a rear face, and a bottom face, wherein the frontface extends laterally and vertically, wherein the rear face extendslaterally and vertically, wherein the bottom face is disposed betweenthe front and rear faces, wherein the bottom face is adjacent to asurface on which the free standing sliding panel footed barrier isstanding, wherein said bottom face is adjacent to said first foot and tosaid surface at a location generally in the plane of the first panel; g)wherein the first panel includes a lower outside corner portion having avertical edge and a horizontal edge, and wherein the first foot includesa slot for receiving the lower outside corner portion; and h) the slotbeing defined by a top open face and an inner side open face such thatthe top open face and inner side open face communicate with each other,such that the top open face and inner side open face in combination makeup an L-shaped open face, and such that the L-shaped open face permitsaccess by said lower outside corner portion.